OPW – Thursday COO Brenton Bright recently spoke about the company’s focus on in-person dating experiences and the growing shift toward offline social connection.
Met Through Friends Launches on the West Coast
LINKEDIN – Met Through Friends has expanded its Plus-One Parties to Los Angeles and San Francisco, bringing the company’s offline dating event format to five cities. The events focus on singles attending with friends instead of using app-based matching. The company said the expansion reflects growing interest in offline social events and alternatives to traditional dating apps.
Tinder Hosts One of Its First Offline Dating Events With Pickleball Meetup
BLOOMBERG – Tinder is expanding into offline social events as part of a broader redesign of the platform. The company recently launched live events in Los Angeles, including pickleball meetups, aimed at helping users connect in person. Tinder is also introducing group dating features and AI-powered updates as it shifts toward more interactive and real-world dating experiences.
Hinge Expands “One More Hour” Initiative to France
HINGE – Hinge is expanding its “One More Hour” social initiative to France, funding local community groups and offline social events aimed at helping young adults connect in person. The programme supports clubs, meetups, and recurring social spaces, with Hinge allocating ~$150,000–$200,000 to French organisations as part of a wider $1.5M global fund. The expansion comes as 62% of Gen Z in France report experiencing loneliness, while 65% say they want more in-person connections. Hinge will also bring its “Assemble” community event series to Marseille later this month.
Seniors Increasingly Joining Dating Apps
AXIOS – Older adults are becoming a growing demographic on dating apps, according to a UserTesting survey of Americans aged 65+. The survey found that 60% started using dating apps within the past three years, while 30% joined within the past year. Platforms including Match.com and OurTime are seeing increased usage from seniors seeking companionship and long-term relationships.
happn Launches First UK Outdoor Advertising Campaign in London
LBBONLINE – happn has launched its first physical advertising campaign in the UK, running across London buses and Underground stations. The campaign focuses on the app’s location-based matching system, which connects users with people they have already crossed paths with in real life. The campaign spans 14 bus routes and 30 Tube escalator panels across busy commuter areas in London.
Tinder Canada Launches Astrology-Themed Creator Campaign
NETINFLUENCER – Tinder Canada launched a spring campaign called “It Starts With a Sign” to promote its new Astrology Mode feature, which allows users to display zodiac signs and compatibility information on profiles. According to Tinder, the campaign generated ~770K influencer impressions and ~24K engagements across organic content.
Shared-Interest Platforms Emerging as Alternative to Dating Apps
BBC – Some younger users are increasingly meeting partners through gaming, fitness, and hobby-based platforms rather than traditional dating apps. Apps and communities, including Strava, Letterboxd, and online games such as World of Warcraft, are being used to build relationships through shared interests and ongoing interaction. The shift comes as several major dating apps have reported declining user numbers in some markets. Companies, including Tinder and Hinge, are responding with new features, niche communities, and alternative matching formats designed to encourage more direct and interest-based connections.
Hinge Launches New ‘Can’t Believe We Met on Hinge’ Campaign Featuring Real Couples
ADWEEK – Hinge has launched a new campaign, “Can’t Believe We Met on Hinge,” featuring real couples from the U.S., U.K., and Australia whose paths crossed before eventually meeting through the app. The campaign is the first under Hinge’s new chief marketing and communications officer, Tamika Young, and will run across streaming, cinema, and social media in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia through July.
Matrimony Q4 Profit Rises 19%
FREE PRESS JOURNAL – Matrimony.com reported a 19% increase in Q4 FY26 consolidated net profit to ₹9.7 crore ($1M), while quarterly revenue rose to ₹116.8 crore ($12.3M) from ₹108.3 crore a year earlier. For the full FY26 year, the company posted consolidated revenue of ₹460 crore ($48.5M) and net profit of ₹34.2 crore ($3.6M). The matchmaking business remained the company’s primary growth driver, contributing nearly all quarterly revenue.